Apparatus for making wrought iron



NOV. 7, 1933. w 1,933,577

APPARATUS FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON Original Filed Jan. 28, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l I CQNVERTERS OR I O.H. FURNACES I I l ISLAG FURNACE l I k zzdwaiw NOV. 7, 1933. w E 1,933,577

APPARATUS FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON Original Filed Jan. 28, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1933. F. H, WILLE APPARATUS FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Jan. 28, 1930 M 7 AQL #ov. 7, 1933. F. H. WILLE APPARATUS FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON Original Filed Jan. 28, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 llll-II INVENTOR MQML M 4 AM Nov. 7, 1933. F. H. WILLE APPARATUS FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON Original Filed Jan. 28, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVENTOR VZWAM/KZJM Nov. 7, 1933. H, w I 1,933,577

APPARATUS FOR MAKING WROUGHT IRON Original Filed Jan. 28, 1930. 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES 1,933,577 N APPARATUS FOR MAKING waocenr IRON Fredrik H. Wille, Chicago, lit, assignor to A. M.

Byers Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original application January 28, 1930, Serial No. 423,979. Divided and this application May 16, 1931. Serial No. 537,855

Claims. 7 (Cl. 266-43) 5 wrought iron by this process. This application is a division of my copending application Serial No. 423,979, filed Jan. 28, 1930.

The Aston process for the manufacture of Wrought iron is now well known and, briefly, consists of pouring molten ferrous material into a slag bath so that the solidified or partly so1idified granules of ferrous material formed during the pouring are individually coated with slag and welded together to form at the bottom of the slag receptacle a compressible mass or ball of wrought iron. The ball thus formed can be compressed to form a bloom which may then be rolled or reduced to a billet or any other desired form.

In United States Patent No. 1,320,175, granted August 25, 1931 to my assignee as assignee of Addison H. Beale, there is explained the desirability of a receptacle of special shape for containing the slag into which the .molten ferrous material is poured, as well as of distributing the stream of ferrous material throughout the slag bath. In order to insure the uniform distribution of the molten ferrous material throughout the slag, and to avoid excessive heating of any one portion of the latter, I have devised an apparatus for automatically pouring molten ferrous material into a slag bath in such a manner that the desired result is obtained. There has also been devised an arrangement of the equipment necessary in the manufacture of wrought iron by the Aston process so as to facilitate the necessary operations and reduce the amount of time required for the completion thereof so that the process may be carried out more efficiently and more expeditiously. Such arrangement is described and claimed in the copending application of Herman A. Brussert, Serial No. 626,984, filed July 30, 1932.

There is provided a plant for the manufacture of wrought iron having one or more slag furnaces, a ball press, and one or more shotting machines therebetween. Each shotting machine preferably consists of a reciprocable platform carrying a. table adapted for rotary movement. A tiltable ladle is supported on the table and means are provided for reciprocating the platform, rotating the table and tilting the ladle, all of said operations being preferably performed automatically. The reciprocable platform is preferably supported by the beam of a platform scale so that the amount of ferrous material poured from each machine into a receptacle of slag positioned therebeneath may be accurately determined.

In the plant arrangement previously men-' tioned, a track is provided to connect the slag furnace, shotting machines and ball press whereby cars carrying slag receptacles may be readily shifted from one point in the plant to another. Briefl the arrangement is such that empty slag receptacle cars are positioned adjacent the slag furnace to receive a charge of slag. The cars are then positioned beneath the shotting machines which pour the required amount of molten ferrous material into the slag and distribute it therethrough. From the shotting machines, the

cars are shifted to the ball press where excess slag is decanted therefrom and the balls dumped adjacent the press for. treatment therein. In order to increase the speed of production there are employed a plurality of shotting' machines whereby several slag receptacle cars may simultaneously receive a charge of molten ferrous material into their respective slag contents.

The invention may be fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings taken in connection with the following description, the drawings illustrating a present preferred embodiment of the invention which is nowise to limit the scope thereof as it is intended merely as an example.

In the drawings: v

Fig. l is a schematic diagram of a plant layout which I have provided for the rapid and efficient production of wrought iron by the Aston process;

Fig. 2 is a plan view to enlarged scale of a portion of the lay-out shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view through the plant at the plane of the line IIIIII of Fig. 2 showing parts in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of 'one of the shotting. machines;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof; and

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View showing the path traversed by the stream of molten ferrous material as a shotting machine pours its contents into the slag bath in a slag receptacle.

Referring to the drawings wherein is shown a preferred form of the invention, Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a plant for the manufacture .of wrought iron. The plant consists of a slag furnace 20, a plurality of shotting machines 21 and a press 22. The shotti'ng machines 21 are mounted on a floor 23 above the floor level of the furnace and the press. Trains of slag receptacle cars 24 are adapted to be moved past the furnace, the shotting machines and the press on a track 25 by means of any suitable source of motive power.

In order to provide a convenient source of ferrous material, Bessemer converters or openhearth furnaces are preferably installed in the locality indicated by the numeral 26. Appropriate crane facilities are provided for transferring the output of the ferrous material making equipment to the shotting machine ladies as is illustrated in greater detail in Fig. 3. A track 27 connects the ferrous material making equipment and the shotting machines to further aid the transfer of molten ferrous material to the ladles.

The shotting machines proper are illustrated in Figs. 2 to 5, Figs. 2 and 3 showing the general arrangement of the machines in the plant and Figs. 4 and 5 illustrating the details of their construction. In general, each shotting machine consists of a reciprocable platform 30, a table 31 adapted for rotary movement on the platform and a ladle 32 tiltably mounted on the table 31. Theplatform has an opening 30 therein and is provided with wheels 33 which rest on rails 34 to permit reciprocation of the platform. The rails 34 are carried by the beam 35 of a platform scale having an indicating dial 36. Suitable stops 3? shown in Fig. 4 limit the reciprocating movement of thepiatforrn 30. As shown in Fig. 2 the shotting machines 21 overlie openings 21 in the floor 23 and the rotary table 31 of each machine has a circular opening 31 therein of the same size as the opening 30 in the platform 30 so that it is possible, by tilting the ladle 32, to pour metal therefrom through the opening 31 in the table, the opening 30 in the platform 30, and the opening 21 in the floor 23, into a receptacle beneath the machine.

The means for reciprocating the platform 30 includes an electric motor 37' and reduction gearing 38 which serves to connect the motor to the axle to which the wheels 33 at the end 30 of the platform 30 are secured. A limit switch 39 is connected to the reduction gearing 38 by a chain and sprocket drive 40 and causes the motor 37' to be reversed at the limits of movement .of the platform 30 so as to' prevent over-travel thereof and insure continuous reciprocation.

The platform 30 has a circular track 41 surrounding the opening 30 in the platform. The table 31 is provided with Wheels 42 engaging the track 41 so that the table may be given a rotary movement with respect to the platform 30. Stops 43 prevent over-travel of the table and automatic means for oscillating the table on its track include a motor 44 and reduction gearing 45 connecting the motor to one of the wheels 42. A limit switch 46 is driven from the reduction gearing and reverses the motor 44 periodically so that the table 31 executes an oscillatory movement.

The ladle 32 has trunnions in bearings 47 A on the platform 31 which carries means for tilting the ladle 32 comprising a motor 48 and reduction gearing 49. A tilting shaft 51 is journalled in a housing 52 and carries a tilting gear 53 which is in mesh with the reduction gearing 49. A clutch 54 normally connects the tilting shaft 51 and one of the ladle trunnions 5D. A

limit switch 55 is driven by the reduction gear-,

ing 49 to prevent excessive tilting of the ladle 32. The various reduction gears and the limit and reversing switches previously mentioned are well known devices and are not described in detail for that reason. The arrangement of the reduction gears is indicated on the drawings and will be obvious from an inspection thereof. The limit and reversing switches 39, 46 and 55 are arranged to be driven from their respective reduction gears 38, 45 and 49 at a speed such that the operations of the various members of the shotting machine will be properly coordinated. These arrangements, however, are subject to change depending upon the size of the charge and other factors. The stroke of the platform 30, the angular movement of the table 31 and the tilting movement of the ladle 32 may be adjusted to suit different sizes of slag receptacles and charges of different weights. Variations in the extent of movement of the shotting machine produce different distributions of the molten ferrous material in the slag bath, as will be mentioned further in the description of the operation of the structure described heretofore.

In describing the mode of operation of the apparatus, it will first be assumed thata slag receptacle of the size and shape of that shown in Fig. 6 is placed on one of the cars 24 which is positioned beneath the floor 23 shown in Fig. 3. The shotting machine 21 will be assumed stationary in the position illustrated in this figure. Before being placed beneath the shotting machine, the slag receptacle is filled to the point indicated by theline with slag from the furnace 20. When the slag receptacle on the car 24 has been partly filledwith slag and positioned beneath the shotting machine21 in Fig. 3, a charge of molten ferrous material istransferred from the furnace or converter at 26 to the ladle 32 of the shotting machine by means of a pouring ladle. 61 which may be carried on ladle car 62 traversing the track 27. An over-head crane 63 picks up the pouring ladle 61 and pours its contents into the ladle 32. The amount of ferrous material poured into the ladle 32 is, of course, registered on the dial 36 of the scale supporting the platform 30. The shotting machine is now ready for the commencel ent of its i operation.

The operation of the shotting machine is initiatedby simultaneously starting the motors 3'7, 44 and 48. The starting and control circuits and devices for these motors are standard equipment and are not described in detail. When the motors 37, 44 and 48 are started, the platform 30 is reciprocated on its wheels 33 along the rails 34. Simultaneously, the table 31 is oscillated on its wheels 42 resting on the track 41.

movement is likewise imparted to the ladle 32 so that the latter reciprocates longitudinally with the platform 30, oscillates about the vertical axis of the table 31 and is tilted about its own horizontal axis. By

A tilting properly adjusting t the limit switches controlling the n'iovernent of H the platform and table, the stream of molten ferrous material poured from ladle may be caused to trace paths of different shapes. An example of one such path isshown in 6.

Referring particularly to Fig. 6, and assuming rial stream tofollow the path 1-1--1, etc., in

the direction of the arrows. This movement of the ferrous material stream requires that the reversing switches for the reciprocating and oscillating motors be adjusted so that the table 31 executes two complete cycles of oscillation while the platform moves from one end of its stroke to the other. The extremities of the stroke of the platform 30 are indicated. by the dotted lines 64 and in Fig. 3. On the return movement of the platform 30, the ferrous material stream traverses the path 2-2-2, etc., shown in 6.

On the next outward movement of the platform, the ferrous material stream follows the path 3-3-3, etc. This path is not identical with that of the first stroke, 1-1-l, etc, because of the fact that as the ladle 32 is tilted about its horizontal axisby the motor 48, the horizontal distance between the axis of the ladle trunnions and a vertical line passing through the point of contact of the ferrous material stream with the slag bath increases. This effect continues as the ladle is tilted further and prevents the ferrous material stream from retracing its path on successive'reciprocations of the platform 30. The dotted line es in Fig. 4 the path traversed by the ladle spout after the ladle has been tilted from its original vertical position. Tilting of the ladle thus causes a shift in the point of contact of the ferrous material stream with the surface of the slag sath. After the ladle spout has moved vertically to a point below a horizontal plane containing the ladle trunnions, the horizontal distance between the axis of the trunnions and a vertical line passing through the point of contact of the ferrous material stream with the slag bath begins to decrease. The remaining portion of the path of contact of the ferrous material stream with the slag bath is indicated numerals in 6, the pouring stopping at the point 10 at the left-hand end of the slag receptacle.

Fig. 6 illustrates the path followed by the ferrous material stream in the manufacture of a 9600 pound ball. According to a preferred method, the control equipment for the shotting machine is arranged so that the platform makes one complete reciprocation forward and back in two minutes or a single stroke in one minute. The control equipment for the table is adjusted so that the latter makes four 9c oscillations in two complete cycles during one minute. At this adjustment, it is found that 9600 pounds of ferrous material may be poured into the slag bath in ten minutes.

For producing a 6000 pound-ball, a slag receptacle of somewhat different form is preferably employed and the control equipment for the shotting machine is adjusted so that the table makes one and a half complete oscillation cycles or three movements back and forth during the longitudinal movement of the platform which, of course, is limited by the length of the slag receptacle. The metal stream follows a path generally similar to that shown in ""g. 6, the pouring operationv being continued until the required number of strokes and oscillations have been executed to supply the proper amount of metal to the bath for formation of a 6000 pound ball. If the tilting speed th ladle is such that the required weight of metal is poured in about six minutes, a satisfactory r sult will be obtained.

For producinga e400 pound ball a slag receptacle of still different dimensions is preferably used. A ball of this size can be produced in about four and one-half minutes. InJthis case, the oscillations of the table are through an angle of 45 only and the stroke of the platformis determined by the length of the slag receptacle. The pouring of the molten ferrousmaterial from the shotting machine ladle into the slag receptacle is more fully described and illustrated in my. copending application Serial No. 423,979, above mentioned.

Since different amounts of metal are required for the formation of balls of different-weights,

pouring will start at different points in the tilt.-

ing movement of the ladle in accordance with the amount of metal in the ladle. The ladle may be tilted to the pouring position before the platform reciprocation and table oscillation are commenced in order to insure that the stream will strike the slag bath surface at the same point in the beginning of each complete operation. At the beginning of the pour the slag receptacle is approximately half full and at the end of the pour the slag and ball practically fill the receptacle to the top.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, I have provided for a maximum travel of the platform of eight feet. When it is desired to manufacture balls of smaller sizes, however, the stroke of the platform may be reduced by properly adjusting the limit and reversing switches.

After the required amount of metal has been poured into the slag receptacle, the car 24 is shifted. to the neighborhood of thepress 22 at which point the excess slag is decanted fromthe receptacle into an empty receptacle and the ball remaining'in the first mentioned slag receptacle is then dumped at the press 22 for treatment therein. In the press 22, the ball is reduced to a bloom of wrought iron which may then be given any desired. treatment, such as rolling, to produce wrought ironarticles. After the slag receptacles have been emptied of the excess slag and the ball, they are returned to the slag furnace 20 where they are partly refilled with slag and again passed under the shotting machine to form additional balls.

The movement of the'shotting machines is, of course, stopped before the slag receptacles are moved from under the machines. The ladle 32 is restored to its vertical position for receiving another charge of ferrous metal from the pouring ladle 61 and the entire cycle of operations may then be repeated. 7

l'have thus provided apparatus for rapidly and efiiciently carrying out the Astonprocess for the manufacture of wrought iron. The operations of the machines are largely automatic and a minimum of manual control is necessary. This makes it possible for a comparatively large installation to be controlled by few men with a resulting lowering in costs of production. The

plant lay-out is such that the operation is of the line variety so that no unnecessary transportation of material in process is necessary.

The movement of the shotting machines is such as to secure a uniform distribution of the metal throughout the slag so that a superior quality of wrought iron is produced.

Certain features not claimed herein are described and claimed in said copending application of Herman A. Brassert and also in the copending application of James Aston and Herman A. Brassert, Serial No. 626,985, filed July 30, 1932, the copending application of James Aston and Edward B. Story, Serial No. 626,986, filed July-30, 1932, the copending application of no I Charles E. Gross, Serial No. 626,987, filed July 30, 1932, the copending application of James Aston and Edward B. Story, Serial No. 626,988, filed July 30, 1932, and the copending application of Edward B. Story and William T. Case, Serial No. 628,125, filed August 10, 1932.

Although I have illustrated but a single preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not intend to be limited to the specific details thereof since the invention may be practiced in other forms. Minor changes and alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and all such changes may be made without departing from the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a platform scale having an opening therein and a receptacle car adapted to be positioned beneath said opening, of a shotting machine mounted on the scale platform and reciprocable therealong.

2. The combination with a platform scale having an opening therein and a receptacle car adapted to be positioned beneath said opening, of a shotting machine mounted on the scale platform and reciprocable therealong, said shotting machine comprising a rotatable ladle support.

3. The combination with a platform scale having an opening therein and a receptacle car adapted to be positioned beneath said opening, of a shotting machine mounted on the scale platform and reciprocable therealong, said shotting machine comprising a rotatable ladle support, and means on said support for tilting the ladle.

4. A shotting machinev comprising a reciprocable carriage, means for reciprocating the carriage, a ladle support rotatably mounted on said carriage, means for rotating said support, a ladle tiltably mounted in said support substantially coaxial with the axis of rotation thereof, and means for tilting the ladle.

5. A shotting machine including a reciprocable carriage, a ladle support rotatable thereon and a ladle tiltably mounted substantially centrally of said support.

6. A shotting machine comprising a reciprocable carriage, means on said carriage for reciprocating the carriage, a ladle support rotatably mounted on said carriage, means on said support for rotating said support,.a ladle tiltably mounted in said support and means on said support for tilting the ladle, said ladle being disposed to remain at all times at a fixed location on said support.

7. A shotting machine including a reciprocable carriage, a ladle support rotatable thereon and a ladle tiltably mounted in said support, and stops for limiting the reciprocation and rotation of said carriage and ladle support.

8. A shotting machine comprising a carriage, means for driving the carriage, automatic means actuated by the driving means for reversing the driving means to reciprocate the carriage, a ladle support on the carriage, means for rotating the support and automatic means actuated by said rotating means for reversing the latter to oscillate the support.

- 9. The combination with a slag receptacle and a shotting ladle, of means for simultaneously reciprocating the shotting ladle transversely of the slag receptacle, oscillating the shotting ladle about a vertical axis and tilting it about a horizontal axis to pour its contents into the slag receptacle, the slag receptacle being large enough relatively to the shotting ladle to remain stationary and receive the pour from the shotting ladle.

10. Apparatus for making wrought iron comprising a container for a slag bath, a ladle for pouring ferrous metal into the slag, and means for shifting in a predetermined path the point on the surface of the slag bath at which the metal enters. g

11. Apparatus for making wrought iron comprising a container for a slag bath, a ladle for pouring ferrous metal into the slag, and means for shifting through a predetermined non-retracing path the point on the surface of the slag bath at which the metal enters.

,12. Apparatus for making wrought iron, comprising a delivery device for delivering ferrous material, a slag receptacle for receiving the ferrous material delivered by the delivery device, and means for relatively turning the slag receptacle and delivery device in a horizontal plane during delivery of ferrous material from the delivery device into the slag receptacle.

13. Apparatus for making wrought iron, comprising a ladle for delivering ferrous material, a slag receptacle for receiving the ferrous material delivered by the ladle, and means for relatively shifting the ladle and slag receptacle transversely and relatively turning the ladle and slag receptacle in a horizontal plane during delivery of ferrous material from the ladle into the slag receptacle.

14. Apparatus for making wrought iron, comprising a tilting ladle for lip-pouring ferrous material, a slag receptacle for receiving the ferrous material poured by the ladle, and means for simultaneously tilting the ladle to pour ferrous material into the slag receptacle and relatively moving the ladle and slag receptacle in a horizontal plane.

15. Apparatus for making wrought iron, comprising a delivery device for delivering a stream of ferrous material, a slag receptacle for containing a slag bath to receive the ferrous material delivered by the delivery device, and connections effective for relative movement between said stream and said slag bath during delivery of ferrous material from said delivery device into said slag receptacle to assist in maintaining a proper temperature difference between the ferrous material delivered and the portion of the slag bath entered thereby and cause proper granulation of the ferrous material in the successive parts of the bath entered thereby.

' FREDRIK H. WILLE. 

